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Genetic engineering, also known as
genetic modification, is a relatively
new technology that allows scientists
to create plants, animals and
micro-organisms by manipulating genes
in a way that is not possible via
traditional or natural processes. GM
technology is not simply an extension
of conventional agriculture; it is
radically different from traditional
plant and animal breeding.
Genetic engineering involves the
artificial manipulation of seeds at
the cellular level, and allows DNA
from one type of organism (such as an
animal) to be introduced into another
unrelated organism (such as a plant).
This means that human genes can be
introduced into plants or fish.
Scientists have already introduced a
gene from an arctic fish into a
tomato, for example, enabling the
tomato to be grown at lower
temperatures.
The biotech industry is very
enthusiastic about the potential of
genetic engineering in the field of
agriculture, claiming that it will
mean higher crop yields and fewer
pesticides for farmers, and better
quality and cheaper food for
consumers.
The biotech industry has heavily
lobbied governments in the US and
Canada to adopt GM crops without
requiring specific regulations to
deal with them. For example, the
relevant US authorities consider
genetically modified crops to be
substantially equivalent to their
conventional counterparts, and do not
require mandatory safety testing or
labeling. Consequently, GM food
products are exported to other
countries in the world without
labeling or other identifying
information.
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